Onam 2010

Sai Ram,

A special time of the year for people from Kerala. Onam was on Monday 23rd. A great example of supreme sacrifice is remembered as King Bali sacrificed his last bit of ego to an incarnation of Vishnu, Vamana. Bali was a ruler whose ego was too strong. Vamana fixed it using ego puncture. Every year on this date, he descends to be with the people of Kerala.

It is a big festival. Usually Keralites come to the ashram several days before and put on a performance for Onam and the day before.

Sunday, 22nd. The hall was crowded as many people came to celebrate Onam. The decoration included streamers from the mandir and hanging from pole to pole as well as umbrellas along the center driveway and at other locations. The verandah center area had also been decorated.

While waiting for darshan, I had the impression of Baba watching over all of us. I saw an enlarged view of his eyes looking around the hall, watching and blessing us.

At 5:32 Baba came into the hall. He stopped to speak with some of the performers who were seated in the driveway in front of the backdrop curtain. Baba moved slowly giving each of us a good view.

He spent a long time with the students in front of the mandir, with the primary and secondary school students and went up the aisle away from the women’s ramp before making a u-turn to go up the ramp reaching the verandah at 5:50. Baba reached verandah center at 5:57.

The one hour musical drama called “Bharata, The Embodiment of Supreme Love” started at 6:04. It was a drama about the immense love Bharata had for Rama: his agony over the exile of Rama, his ruling Ayodhya with his sandals and his joy over Rama return. There was also a scene showing Rama asking Kaikeyi to ask a boon from his father that would send him into the forest so he can accomplish his mission.

There were many songs. Baba even commented that the singer had a good voice.

Baba was very happy with the performance. He went to the white tile where he blessed them by allowing everyone to take padanamaskar while he distributed laddus.

Baba told them how happy he was with the drama. Many of the youth were crying from joy. Baba blessed them several times. Cloth and saris were distributed.

Arathi was at 7:24.

Monday, 23rd. It is Onam. At 5:10 in the procession started led by musicians who played drums and horns including the curve horns followed by bal vikas pundits. Baba entered at 5:14. As he moved through the women’s section, there were tots holding candles.

The musicians went down the driveway and the candle girls went into the front women’s section.

Baba reached the verandah at 5:24 and verandah center a few minutes later.

The musical part of the program which was called “Keraleeyam” started at 5:32 lasted for almost 20 minutes. With song and dance, 99 children told the story of several spiritual leaders, sang Onam folk songs, and included minorities in telling about Kerala. The dances were many and in quick succession. The highlight was the hailing of Sai Baba as the avatar.

It is said that Baba laughed when he saw the person who was playing Vamana who was a short in height. The actor was about 2 feet tall.

After which the one hour drama “Margadhara” started at 5:53. It was the story of child ascetic Dhruva and his virtuous mother. A story about righteousness and spirituality winning over jealousy and hatred.

One scene dealt with the relationship of Dhruva and Uttama as tots. The performers acted as beautiful innocent children in a cute, funny and sweet manner. They seemed so natural in their role. It was a wonder to behold.

Dhruva meditated so intensely that Vishnu appeared to him. Dhruva becomes the pole star and his mother a different star for their surrender and devotion to God.

At 6:34, Baba went to the interview room. Baba returned to verandah center at 6:50 just in time for the finale. He enjoyed the drama.

Makeup for the performance started at 8 a.m. and many of the children did not eat all day.

Arathi was at 7:13. After which Baba went to the white tile for photos. He distributed vihbuti to many of the people present.

After having the Loka sung a second time by the children, Baba left for his residence.

Attached is an article on Swami Vivekananda and a story with a picture of a monkey

helping a blind man.

Thought for the Day 6 July 2010

The infant does not know the taste of milk. By taking it daily, it develops an attachment for it which is so deep that when milk is to be given up and rice substituted, it starts to protest. But the mother does not despair. She persuades the child to take small quantities of cooked rice daily and through this process, the child starts liking rice and gives up milk. By practice, rice now becomes the child's natural food, so natural that even if rice is not available for a single day, it becomes miserable. So too, sensual pleasures are ‘natural’ at first. However, by means of practice, listening to the words of the wise, slowly, you will derive greater joy listening to the glories of God. Thereafter, you cannot exist without that holy atmosphere even for a minute. The company of the worldly chatter will no longer attract you. You will feel that there is nothing as sweet as the experience of listening to the splendour of the Lord.

Baba